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Victoria and Tommy Lee Jones | Source: Getty Images
Victoria and Tommy Lee Jones | Source: Getty Images

Cause behind the Passing of Tommy Lee Jones' Daughter Victoria Released — Here's What We Know

Andrii Tykhyi
Feb 18, 2026 - 06:02 A.M.

The award-winning actor's daughter was found dead inside a luxury San Francisco hotel on New Year's Day, sparking questions and speculation. Weeks later, officials have now confirmed the tragic cause of her death.

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A 2:52 a.m. emergency call. A luxury hotel. And a sudden death that left more questions than answers.

When Victoria Jones, the 34-year-old daughter of Academy Award-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones, was found dead on New Year's Day, the circumstances were as mysterious as they were heartbreaking.

Tommy Lee Jones and Victoria Jones attend the red carpet of the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival at Roppongi Hills on October 25, 2017 in Japan.  | Source: Getty Images

Tommy Lee Jones and Victoria Jones attend the red carpet of the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival at Roppongi Hills on October 25, 2017 in Japan. | Source: Getty Images

What Happened on New Year's Day

On January 1, 2026, TMZ reported that Victoria was discovered inside the Fairmont San Francisco after first responders were dispatched to the hotel in the early hours of the morning.

A spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department told the outlet that SFFD units responded to the hotel for a reported medical emergency at 2:52 a.m. Upon arrival, paramedics conducted an assessment, and the individual was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Victoria Jones attends the red carpet of the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival at Roppongi Hills on October 25, 2017 in Japan.  | Source: Getty Images

Victoria Jones attends the red carpet of the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival at Roppongi Hills on October 25, 2017 in Japan. | Source: Getty Images

In a statement previously given to Us Weekly, the San Francisco Fire Department said, "Upon arrival, paramedics from the fire department performed an assessment. The person was declared deceased. SFPD and the medical examiner's office were called to the scene. Scene turned over to SFPD and SF Medical Examiners."

Minutes later, police arrived. At approximately 3:14 a.m., the San Francisco Police Department responded to the hotel regarding a report of a deceased person. At the scene, officers met with paramedics, who declared the adult female deceased, according to a San Francisco Police Department spokesperson.

At that time, authorities said the cause of death remained unknown.

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Dawn Laurel-Jones, Victoria Jones, and Tommy Lee Jones attend the Just Getting Started Los Angeles premiere at ArcLight Hollywood on December 7, 2017. | Source: Getty Images

Dawn Laurel-Jones, Victoria Jones, and Tommy Lee Jones attend the Just Getting Started Los Angeles premiere at ArcLight Hollywood on December 7, 2017. | Source: Getty Images

Legal Troubles Before Her Death

As the investigation unfolded, new information about Victoria's recent legal battles began to surface. Just 2 days after her death, TMZ reported that she had been offered a plea deal tied to an April arrest involving cocaine possession and resisting arrest.

According to court documents obtained by the outlet, Napa County prosecutors had proposed that Victoria plead guilty to resisting or obstructing arrest and possessing a controlled substance. In exchange, a charge for being under the influence would be dropped.

But there was a catch. The deal required her to remain sober, submit to random drug testing, complete an alternative program such as counseling, and serve 1 year of probation. She would also have been responsible for paying associated fines and program costs.

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Her next court appearance was scheduled for January 20, 2026. She never made it.

Tommy Lee Jones and his daughter Victoria arrive for the screening of his film "The Homesman" at the 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in southern France, on May 18, 2014. | Source: Getty Images

Tommy Lee Jones and his daughter Victoria arrive for the screening of his film "The Homesman" at the 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in southern France, on May 18, 2014. | Source: Getty Images

The charges stemmed from a welfare check after Victoria accidentally dialed police in Napa. TMZ reported that officers observed a white residue on her tongue, rapid speech, and that she was "fighting with her body movements." She admitted to using cocaine that day and was arrested after allegedly resisting officers.

The outlet reached out to her attorney and the Napa County prosecutor for comment, but did not receive a response.

A Troubling Development

The story grew more complicated when Us Weekly later revealed another development. Court documents dated October 1, 2025, suggested that Victoria may have been pregnant 3 months before her death. The paperwork stated, "Counsel is informed and does believe that Ms. Jones is pregnant."

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The filing was connected to a separate public intoxication arrest in Santa Cruz County. Victoria had pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of public intoxication and resisting a peace officer.

Victoria and Tommy Lee Jones wave to the crowd at the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival at Roppongi Hills on October 25, 2017 in Japan.  | Source: Getty Images

Victoria and Tommy Lee Jones wave to the crowd at the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival at Roppongi Hills on October 25, 2017 in Japan. | Source: Getty Images

Her legal team noted a "possible acceptance of diversion terms," which the San Francisco District Attorney's website describes as programs that connect eligible defendants with treatment, employment resources, and court supervision to address underlying issues and potentially avoid criminal convictions.

It remains unclear whether she was pregnant at the time of her death. Her attorneys declined to comment, and Tommy's representative did not respond to the publication.

A Father's Attempt to Help

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Victoria's struggles were not entirely hidden from the courts. In August 2023, Tommy filed for temporary conservatorship over his daughter. Court documents listed him as the petitioner, with Margaret Caron Schmierer appointed as conservator.

While the request was granted, a judge terminated the conservatorship in December 2023.

Tommy Lee Jones and daughter Victoria Jones arrive at the premiere of "Just Getting Started" at ArcLight Hollywood on December 7, 2017 in California. | Source: Getty Images

Tommy Lee Jones and daughter Victoria Jones arrive at the premiere of "Just Getting Started" at ArcLight Hollywood on December 7, 2017 in California. | Source: Getty Images

Nearly 2 years later, Victoria died. Days after her passing, on January 3, 2026, TMZ reported that dispatch audio had been obtained. According to Us Weekly, the recording revealed officers responded to a "code 3 for the overdose, color change," a chilling detail that immediately fueled speculation.

The Cause Finally Revealed

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For weeks, officials remained tight-lipped about what had happened inside that San Francisco hotel room. Now, more than a month later, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in San Francisco has released its findings, according to People.

Victoria died from "toxic effects of cocaine," and her manner of death has been ruled an "accident." The confirmation aligns with the troubling hints that emerged in the immediate aftermath of her passing.

Tommy Lee Jones, Victoria Jones, Hilary Swank, Miranda Otto, Sonja Richter, and Dawn Laurel-Jones attend the The Homesman screening at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2014. | Source: Getty Images

Tommy Lee Jones, Victoria Jones, Hilary Swank, Miranda Otto, Sonja Richter, and Dawn Laurel-Jones attend the The Homesman screening at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2014. | Source: Getty Images

While the official determination may provide answers, it also underscores the devastating toll of addiction and the quiet battles that can unfold far from the public eye.

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